Lemon Law in Vermont

The Vermont’s Lemon Law was designed to protect you from becoming a victim of defective new vehicles. So, if you purchase a new vehicle within this state and later realize that it is a lemon, you can invoke this law and get your refund or a vehicle replacement. The vehicle must be under the manufacturer’s warranty in order to qualify for protection under this law.

Steps to take if you have a lemon

The Department of Motor Vehicles in Vermont is the one that administers Vermont’s Lemon Law. If you suspect that you have bought a lemon, you can invoke this law by filling out the application for arbitration form at the Department of Motor Vehicles’ Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board But before taking this step, you must first try to resolve the issue with the manufacturer. You must allow the manufacturer to attempt to fix the problem. Allow him up to three attempts. If after the 3rd attempt or if the vehicle stays in the repair shop for 30 days or more, and the problem is not resolved, your vehicle will official qualify for a lemon status under Vermont’s Lemon Law.

Manufacturer’s responsibilites

The burden will now rest on the manufacturer to refund your money or give you a replacement vehicle. If you fail to resolve the issue at this stage, you will be left with no option other than filing your complaint with the Vermont Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board. If the Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board decides the case in your favor, you will be entitled to a refund or vehicle replacement. If the case is not ruled in your favor, and you truly feel that you hold a lemon, you can hire a lemon law attorney to represent your case in a court of law.

More Information

The Department of Motor Vehicle in Vermont provides a list of worksheets and forms to assist you with filing your case. Read these forms carefully as they may have important information regarding Vermont’s Lemon Law. To file a strong case, always include all the necessary receipts and records regarding your vehicle. You are supposed to fill all the forms and mail them to: Department of Motor Vehicles Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board 14 Baldwin St Montpelier, VT 05602

Important Information

The Motor vehicle Arbitration Board in Vermont will not consider your case if the vehicle in question was not purchased within the state of Vermont. The vehicle must also be registered in Vermont. Vermont’s Lemon Law covers vehicles under 12,000 lbs. So trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles may not be covered under this law.